Adoption Disclosure:  

The Adoption Disclosure department responds to enquiries from adult adoptees (aged 18 and over), birth parents, birth grandparents, birth siblings and adoptive parents who wish to obtain information about each other. Under the current legislation, the above individuals may receive all the non-identifying information contained in the Agency’s files.  Identifying information such as names and addresses still cannot be revealed. Updated information can only be provided when/if the parties involved have updated their files for the purpose of disclosure.

The Province of Ontario is moving towards a new information disclosure system under the Adoption Information Disclosure Act 2005. This Act is expected to be fully proclaimed an in force by September 2007. General information about the Act can be accessed via the Ministry of Community and Social Services website.

The Adoption Disclosure Department also provides assistance with reunions matched and referred by the Adoption Disclosure Unit maintained by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Reunion counseling is offered and provided to individuals involved in  a  reunion. The Agency does not provide counseling to reunions that are not matched/sanctioned by the Adoption Disclosure Unit.

Due to the fact that the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society handled so many adoptions, the demand for service has been quite staggering. The Society receives over one thousand enquiries each year. The length of time that an individual waits for their information depends on how many enquiries are received.  Requests are processed according to the date in which the Society receives the completed application forms.

If an adult adoptee, birth relative and/or an adoptive parent wishes to complete and/or to receive the application forms, they may contact the Adoption Disclosure Worker with their name and mailing address.

Crown Ward Disclosure:

Former Crown Ward Disclosure Services responds to requests from Former Crown Wards who want information about their family of origin and about the time that they spent while in care. Although there is no provincial disclosure legislation for Former Crown Wards, the Society can provide information in the same manner as shared with an adult adoptee. The information is primarily non-identifying in nature, as consent to release information must be provided by any person named in the Agency’s records.

Often, for someone who grew up in the care of a Children’s Aid Society, the reasons for living in a foster home (and/or other setting) and the facts surrounding being made a Crown Ward are not clear.  The circumstances may have been confusing and traumatic and require clarification. A Former Crown Ward can request a summary of their file which may or may not include: all available descriptive family information, interests, education, employment and health.  The amount of information available varies according to the length of time the Society knew the family of origin and how much detail was recorded at the time of involvement. The summary can include information about the Former Crown Ward’s time spent while in care ie the different placements, reasons for placement moves, progress while in care and in school and information about their health, interests, accomplishments and hobbies.

Requests from individuals applying for such information are placed on the same waiting list as Adoption Disclosure enquiries and are processed according to the date they are received.

If a Former Crown Ward wishes to request a summary of their file, they can contact the Adoption Disclosure Department with their name and mailing address.